Written Boards Review and Test Taking Strategies

Flashback Friday: Written Board Reviews and Test-Taking Strategies
Previously Published: February 1, 2020
In this episode, Dr. Alex Kaminsky sits down with Dr. Adam Rosh to cover timelines, mindset and strategies into successful preparation for both written boards and in-service examinations. Additionally, Dr. Rosh imparts his wisdom as a passionate educator and former program director.
Host
Alexander Kaminsky, MD
University of California San Francisco – Fresno
PGY4
@Alex_KamskyEM
EMRA*Cast Episodes
Guests
Adam Rosh, MD, FACEP
Founder and CEO, Rosh Review
Former Program Director at Detroit Receiving Hospital
Overview:
In this episode, Alex sits down with Dr. Adam Rosh (Rosh Review) to cover timelines, mindset and strategies into successful preparation for both written boards and in-service examinations. Additionally, Adam imparts his wisdom as a passionate educator and former program director.
Key Resources / References:
- ABEM Qualifying Exam: https://www.abem.org/public/become-certified/qualifying-exam
- ABEM In-Service Exam:https://www.abem.org/public/for-program-directors/in-training-examination
- EMRA/EM Resident:In-Service Exams, E-Orals and a New Emergency Medicine dual Specialty. https://www.emra.org/emresident/article/in-service-exams-e-orals-and-a-new-emergency-medicine-dual-specialty/
- Question Banks/Review – Just to name a few!
Key Points:
Timeline
- 1 Year Out: Look at the Exam Logistics and Personal/Social Barriers
- 6 Months Out: Organize your study schedule, light study
- 1 Month Out: Study!
- 2 Weeks Out: REALLY study (crank it up to 11)
- 2-3 Days Out: “Rolling Stop” – Slow down, recharge.
- 1 Day Out: Light review
Resource Control: Pick 2-3 resources/modalities and stick with them. Book, E-learning, Q-bank or practice exams. Apply your knowledge from several angles. Prove you know the material in more than one context.
- “The Interleaving Effect: Mixing It Up Boosts Learning.”
- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-interleaving-effect-mixing-it-up-boosts-learning/. Pan, S. Aug 2015. Scientific American
- Kang, S. “Spaced Repetition Promotes Efficient and Effective Learning: Policy Implications for Instruction.” Behavioral and Bran Sciences. 2016 Vol 3(1) 12-19. DOIL 10.1177/2372732215624708.
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